Take My Breath
"Take My Breath" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by The Weeknd | ||||
Released | August 6, 2021 | |||
Studio | MXM (Los Angeles and Stockholm) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
The Weeknd singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Take My Breath" on YouTube |
"Take My Breath" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on August 6, 2021, as the lead single from his upcoming fifth studio album.[2] A portion of the song's instrumental was first teased by the Weeknd on social media platforms on August 2, 2021.[3] "Take My Breath" was universally acclaimed for the Weeknd's vocals, its production and nostalgic '80s beats and synths.[4][5]
Background and promotion
The Weeknd first teased that he was working on a new album in September 2020, via an interview with Rolling Stone in which he stated "I might have another album ready to go by the time this quarantine is over".[6] Later on during the 2021 Billboard Music Awards in May, he went on to state in his acceptance speech "I just want to say the After Hours are done and The Dawn is coming."[7] The Weeknd continued mentioning the upcoming project under the working name "The Dawn" on social media, throughout June and July, with him revealing a new style for his next chapter and dropping the collaborations "You Right" and "Better Believe", respective collaborations with Doja Cat, and Belly and Young Thug, during that period to showcase it in the visuals for the two tracks.[8]
On August 2, 2021, a snippet of "Take My Breath" with a visual of a sunrise titled "The Dawn Is Coming" and a GQ interview was released in promotion of the track, with the single's release date of August 6, 2021 being confirmed through the release of a Tokyo Olympics 2020 promotional video later that day.[9][10][11]
Critical reception
"Take My Breath" received universal acclaim.[12][13] The vocals and production of the track received praise from Billboard's Joe Lynch, who compared the latter aspect's usage of a synthesizer to the synth riff that was used in Donna Summer's 1977 single "I Feel Love".[12] Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian gave the song a five-star rating, stating that it is "an instant disco-pop masterpiece".[13] Consequence of Sound writer Mary Siroky complimented "Take My Breath", “the music is pulsing, almost dizzying in its dance-floor intensity from start to finish, leaving the listener appropriately breathless”.[14] Chief critic Jon Pareles of New York Times highlighted the record’s retro appeal, “the disco thump, electric piano chords and call-and-response falsetto vocals in "Take My Breath" hark back to vintage Bee Gees.[15] Journalist Quinn Moreland from Pitchfork complimented the intro and chorus, “from the strutting intro to the extremely infectious melody, "Take My Breath" is full of life”.[16] Fans around the world speculated the synth-pop "Take My Breath" gives vibes of Michael Jackson and reminds the late era of the 80's.[17]
Music video
The music video for "Take My Breath" was first teased by the Weeknd on social media via self-released images of the visual during the week leading up to the release of the single.[18] Directed by Cliqua, it originally was supposed to play before IMAX showings of The Suicide Squad, but was reportedly pulled due to epilepsy concerns in regards to the "intense strobe lighting" featured in the clip.[19] The video was released alongside the song.[20]
Personnel
- The Weeknd – songwriting, vocals, production, programming, keyboards, bass, drums
- Belly – songwriting
- Max Martin – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards, bass, drums
- Oscar Holter – songwriting, production, programming, keyboards, bass, drums
- Elvira Anderfjärd – background vocals
- David Bukovinsky – cello
- Shellback – drums
- Magnus Sjölander – percussion
- Mattias Bylund – strings
- Mattias Johansson – violin
- Sam Holland – engineering, studio personel
- Serban Ghenea – mixing, studio personel
- Dave Kutch – mastering, studio personel
Charts
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | August 6, 2021 | [68] | ||
Australia | Contemporary hit radio | UMA | [69] | |
Italy | Universal | [70] | ||
United States | August 9, 2021 | Hot adult contemporary radio |
|
[71] |
August 10, 2021 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [72] | ||
Contemporary hit radio | [73] | |||
Russia | August 12, 2021 | Universal | [30] |
References
- ^ Daly, Rhian (August 6, 2021). "The Weeknd ushers in his next era with deliciously dark new song 'Take My Breath'". NME. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
Michael Jackson-indebted pop, funk, synth-wave and disco all combine to help Abel Tesfaye wave goodbye to 'After Hours' – and that red blazer.
- ^ Hussey, Allison (August 2, 2021). "The Weeknd Releasing New Song "Take My Breath" This Friday: Watch Preview". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ @TheWeeknd (August 2, 2021). "The Dawn Is Coming (Teaser) - The Weeknd" (Tweet). Retrieved August 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "The Weeknd, 'Take My Breath'". NPR.org. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ Blistein, Jon; Legaspi, Althea (August 6, 2021). "The Weeknd Returns With New 'Take My Breath' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Spanos, Brittany (September 18, 2020). "The Weeknd's Endless Summer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Sblendorio, Peter. "The Weeknd accepts Billboard Music Award without face bandages, bruise makeup". nydailynews.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Singh, Ashish. "The Weeknd says he's 'proud' of next album, fans say 'better drop The Dawn this year'". meaww.com. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The Weeknd Announces Brand New Single "Take My Breath"". Hypebeast. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Shafer, Ellise (August 3, 2021). "The Weeknd Is Releasing a New Single, 'Take My Breath,' on Friday". Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Nast, Condé (August 2, 2021). "The Weeknd vs. Abel Tesfaye". GQ. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Weeknd Previews New Era With 'The Dawn Is Coming' Teaser: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Weeknd: Take My Breath review – an instant disco-pop classic". the Guardian. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Siroky, Mary. "Song of the Week: The Weeknd Returns With the Heart-Pounding "Take My Breath"". Consequence. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Pareles, Jon. "The Weeknd's Disco Fever, and 9 More New Songs". New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Moreland, Quinn. "The Weeknd "Take My Breath" review". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd recent track "Take My Breath" gives all vibes of Michael Jackson". Popmellow. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Shifferaw, Abel. "The Weeknd Previews New Song, Video Was Set to Play in IMAX Before 'Intense Strobe Lighting' Became Issue (Update)". Complex. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (August 4, 2021). "The Weeknd Video for 'Take My Breath' Pulled From Imax Theaters Due to 'Intense Strobe Lighting' (Exclusive)". Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (August 4, 2021). "The Weeknd's New "Take My Breath" Video Pulled from IMAX Theaters Due to Epilepsy Concerns". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for The Weeknd. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ a b The Weeknd — Take My Breath. TopHit. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 34. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 33. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 34, 2021". Hitlisten. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd: Take My Breath" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 33, 2021)". SNEP. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "Media Forest charts". Media Forest. 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 32" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ "EHR TOP 40 - 2021.08.20". European Hit Radio. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ "2021 32-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-32". VG-lista. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "TOP 50 INTERNACIONAL BMAT-PRODUCE PANAMÁ DEL 20 AL 26 DE AGOSTO, 2021" (in Spanish). Sociedad Panameña de Productores Fonográficos. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ "Russia Airplay Chart for 2021-08-20." TopHit. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "RIAS International Top Charts". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202134 into search. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202132 into search. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Canciones: Semana 31". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 33". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd – Take My Breath". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ "Take My Breath - Single by The Weeknd on Apple Music". Retrieved August 6, 2021 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Singles to Radio". The Music Network. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd "Take My Breath" | (Radio Date: 06/08/2021)". RadioDate.it (in Italian). Retrieved September 4, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases | Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates | ..." All Access. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases - August 10, 2021". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
External links
- The Dawn Is Coming (Teaser) on YouTube
- These Track Stars Will Take Your Breath Away - The Weeknd x NBC Sports for Tokyo Olympics 2020 on YouTube
- Take My Breath (Official Audio) on YouTube
- Take My Breath (Official Lyric Video) on YouTube
- Take My Breath (Instrumental) (Official Audio) on YouTube
- Take My Breath (XO Lens) on YouTube
- Take My Breath (Extended Version) (Official Audio) on YouTube